Ex-cheerleader sues over spinal injury

A former South Summit High School cheerleader has filed a lawsuit against her coach and the school district for an incident in which she allegedly suffered serious injuries.

The teen was attending a cheerleading camp, sponsored by the United Spirit Association, at the University of Utah in July 2004. She was thrown into the air during an attempted stunt and fell to the ground, according to documents filed in 3rd District Court on Tuesday.

The cheerleader's team was instructed to perform the stunt after failing on two previous attempts, the suit states. As a result, the woman suffered a severely fractured spine and has incurred more than $200,000 in medical costs, according to the documents.

The teen is asking the South Summit County School District, the former coach of the cheer squad and various others, not named in the case, for repayment of her expenses and future loss of income potential, in amounts to be determined at trial.